Defensive Stick: Jacques Levinet

Learning to defend oneself constitutes,nowadays, one of the main concerns formany citizens worldwide. Pursuing thisobjective, specialists of self-defense andMartial Arts experts, don't stop presenting,with more or less success, lots of methods,at times quite similar, with more or lessrealistic techniques derived from theirrespective practices. Without going intodetails, we must admit that the two pillars,which are the knowledge and thetransmission of self-defense, are not alwayspresent, but there has to be for everyone.So you can't make a real idea of whatbelongs to us.

Photos: Edith Levinet

econciliation and dialogue havetheir l imits in some of theaggressions that unfortunatelythreat today the entirepopulation, young or old, womenor children, sportsmen or not,

regardless of the size of the victim or theaggressor.Thus it was born a vital necessity in the 21st

century man, the need to defend himself.Parting from these elements of reflection andmy triple experience as a police captain, anexpert in martial arts and a coach of lawenforcement units, I conceived the idea ofdeveloping a formidable method of self-defense for everyone, the defense stick, andalways respecting our democratic laws.That discipline was successful from the

start. In order to identify this method, the BDJLbrand (Baton Defense Jacques Levinet /Defense Stick Jacques Levinet) wasregistered in the National Institute of IndustrialProperty in order to protect both themethodology and the training materials. Thestep of naming our creation with theabbreviation BDJL, was a way to defendourselves against imitations that use andabuse rather than inspire. So the expert willknow how to distinguish the original from thecopy.

Origins of the BDJLIn the directions for use, the purpose of the

techniques and the configuration of thetraining material, this method has nothing todo with those already existing in combatsports (such as French boxing / Savate) or inMartial Arts such as Kali. It stems from theROS (Real Operational System) method that Icreated for the law enforcement forces. TheBDJL techniques resemble those of BO (Batonopérationel / Operational stick). The civilpurpose was, preserving the operationaleffectiveness, that of removing anyprofessional connotation bundled to thetelescopic stick. The simple stick became theBDJL, an amazing accessory of effectiveness,simple in all types of physical aggression,while respecting democratic legal rules. Tomake the method easily adaptable toeveryone, regardless of age, physical strengthand experienced or not in combat sports, itwas necessary that its learning didn't requireany individual predisposition. It may be the

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strength of this new prescription whatsupports, at the level of the instructionmanual, on the five key points of themethod SPK (Self Pro Krav). Thebasic idea is that no method ofdefense is achievable without thesurvival instinct, the conditionedreflex, the operational technique, self-defense and evolution, which havebecome obligatory paths in theeffectiveness of BDJL. The bet was tocreate, with a similar efficiency, aprofessional method in sportsdisciplines for everybody. Thefirst step was to think of adifferent configuration andmaterial so that our stickwasn't considered a weapon.The second was to launch atraining program with coursesand teaching evaluations.

The Originality ofthe BDJLI ts original ity is in the

material configuration and itsuse in self-defense. Thesimple stick metamorphosedinto BDJL, thanks to itslightness and the flexibility ofthe cane to block and absorbany type of blow, but also toreplicate and spank with thespeed the of l ight. Thediameter of the stick bodywas designed to facil itatemanipulation and grips. Theconfiguration was not enoughby itself to transform theBDJL into a formidablemeans of defense. It was stillnecessary to f ind an anti-assault way of using it, violentand legal at the same time. Amethod of teaching waslaunched with a technicalprogression l inked to thedifferent situations of

aggression. Security was privilegedwith protection devices, mobileshields, BDJL gloves special lydesigned to prevent overheatinghands during manipulations. Toidentify BDJL practitioners, specialtraining equipment has been created.Basic and higher technicalevaluations have been established foreach discipline, obtaining technicaldegrees and teaching diplomas at theJacques Levinet Academy. To be

closer to the reality of the street, wehave taken into account in ourinstruction, all forms of assault withor without weapons, against one ormore individuals. The questioning ofour techniques is ongoing to monitorthe evolution of the aggressionmethods. An adapted pedagogy anda precise code of ethics have finishedshaping the BDJL, to turn it into oneof the revolutionary methods of the21st century available to everyone.

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BDJL trainingIt is marked by four indivisible

parameters that are: security, realism,pleasure and language. Security isconstantly favored to train withoutlimiting oneself or fearing danger.Therefore, the limbs (specific areas forresponse) are always protected toavoid getting gripped duringsimulations of attacks. The reality ofthe threats or attacks is essential tocheck the reaction of practitioners

facing a dangerous situation. Specificprotecting positions as the swing,anticipated or unexpected defenses,reinforced supports, are manytechnical points which, with themultiplied force of the response allowchecking in a real way theeffectiveness of our methods duringour training sessions, some of whichare practiced outdoors, in realconditions. Instead, the playful aspectof the exercises proposed during our

classes indoor, adds a dynamicpleasure. So it's possible to trainyourself seriously while having fun.Counterattacking on a training shieldwith the deafening noise of the BDJLimpact, or touching a mobileprotection of an armed hand, areother examples of this work of sportsgame. Finally, the using of theappropriate language during classesto simulate the reaction of the studentin case of aggression, it is an essential

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element on which we insist. Familiarizing the practitioner with his roleof victim accustoms him to the future reality of the aggression.

The BDJL principlesThey all are summarized around the words code of ethics and self-

defense. An ethics highlights in our courses, it is strictly prohibited touse the term "hit", which is replaced with "response". It is not amatter of language, but rather a state of mind, where the basics arein the law. When an assaulted person speaks about his or herdefense actions in terms of response, is because he or she has beensubject to an attack, something that is not necessarily so when usingthe aggressive word "hit". But the term response alone is not enoughby itself to speak about the BDJL ethics. Traumatic zones arebanned, tolerated or favored accordingly. Defenses are concentratedon the upper or lower limbs with the prohibition to touch the head orspine. Moreover, the BDJL practice, which is not a weapon bynature, excludes any professional purpose, unlike the telescopicstick, catalogued by its nature as a weapon prohibited carrying ortransporting except for the police. This principle of separation ofgenders also comes to self-defense, an essential foundation inwhich we insist in order to know what can and what cannot be donewith the BDJL.

Courses and representation of the BDJLThe Jacques Levinet Academy is demanding. The certificate of

BDJL instructor must reflect a high technical and pedagogical level.Its founder personally supervises it because he signs every trainingattestation, which is never acquired and must be always renewedeach year after a compulsory recycling. The BDJL implantation iswell underway with a number of 20 representatives of the academyin France and in some foreign countries. Regular training courses arescheduled within the academy or on request throughout France andabroad. The BDJL practice represents an excellent compromiseamong combat sports, martial arts and self-defense.

www.batondefenselevinet.comTel: 00.33.467.075.044

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